BONES OF THE DEAD (TRE VARV MOTSOLS)

Book 1 in the Edda Chronicles

Meet Edda Erlenstam who will, much like a female Indiana Jones, traverse the remotest regions of 1920-40s Sweden on her mission to unearth ancient artifacts and uncover archaic folk legends across the series. 

Northern Sweden, the summer of 1929. Edda Erlenstam arrives in Jämtland equipped with a revolver, a camping stove, and her trusty bicycle. Her official mission, as an assistant archivist at the National Folklore Archive, is to collect folk tales and document local myths. The true objective, however, is finding a fabled 17th-century book of black magic. This grimoire, once owned by the enigmatic Mister Ola, is shrouded in rumours of dark sorcery and communion with the sinister underground people the  vittra. The question is, what happened to the book after Ola’s death? 

Obtaining the book would secure Edda’s position at the archive, which is precarious to say the least considering she lacks the academic degrees held by all her male colleagues. But Edda has skills they don’t; she was brought up in a working-class home in the north, and knows how to get the locals talking, even about the most sensitive topics. 

Edda’s relentless pursuit of the grimoire soon arouses hostility in the isolated Jämtland villages, escalating into terrifying acts of violence. As Edda and her beau, Dr Jonas Tomner, realise that they are not the only ones searching for the book they end up in a life-or-death pursuit across the moors and through the deep forests. 

At the same time, Edda begins to experience strange phenomena – dizziness, hallucinations, and waking nightmares – and she starts to wonder if those are the side effects of the new sleeping draughts Dr Tomner has given her against her insomnia, or if there is perhaps some truth to the ancient legends of black magic and mysterious creatures after all? 

BONES OF THE DEAD is a spellbinding and eerie historical suspense debut steeped in Nordic folklore and the dark arts, with a plucky heroine one will not soon forget. 

The fact that Edda is based on a real-life person, Ella Odstedt, a female 20thcentury collector of folk tales, only heightens the allure to get to know Edda, and the series, better. 

330 pages

‘Per Faxneld’s eerie historical adventure Bones of the Dead is a one-of-a-kind debut: enigmatic, accomplished and deeply rooted in Faxneld’s unique knowledge of history and folklore. It is a novel that will play with your mind and have you question the reality around you, while at the same time keeping you deliciously entertained throughout. A page-turner from Northern Sweden, with bicycle chases on bumpy forest trails and a truly unforgettable heroine!’
–Johanna Haegerström, editor, Albert Bonniers Förlag, SWE

Rights Sold

Sweden: Albert Bonniers Förlag
Finland: Docendo
Hungary: Animus
Italy: Neri Pozza

REVIEWS

’Not one dull moment. …A gripping suspense novel that lovingly and unpretentiously showcases a true pioneer and an important part of our [Swedish] collective memory.’
– Jonas Thente, Expressen / SWE

‘Per Faxneld has found a delightful niche that gives the Swedish Folklore Archive a mythical glow, much like the Vatican in Dan Brown’s works.’
– Lina Österman, Upsala Nya Tidning / SWE

‘Per Faxneld’s novel is a real page-turner, in which the protagonist – part Ester Blenda Nordström, part Indiana Jones – tackles both misogyny and scepticism towards the supernatural. … Bones of the Dead is a brilliant book for anyone seeking suspense, particularly with a strong female protagonist, but also for those interested in folklore or the occult. Apart from the subject matter, the precise language – with vivid descriptions of both emotions and settings – is the book’s greatest strength. … There are rumours of more books to come, and we can only keep our fingers crossed. Edda is a character you both root for and want to follow further.’
– Saskia Rubensson, Länstidningen Östersund / SWE

‘A gripping adventure set in the rural landscapes of northern Sweden. It features vivid portrayals of the farmsteads of Jämtland, the old folk beliefs, and a convincing historical framework.’
– BTJ / SWE

‘Per Faxneld demonstrates profound knowledge of folklore and occultism, as well as of Uppsala as a university city and the villages of Jämtland. He also succeeds in transforming this learning into a solid and engaging narrative. The language is straight forward, direct, and free of hyperbole. The contrast with the imaginative subject matter becomes an effective device. The historical flashbacks add extra colour to the story. …Ultimately, Bones of the Dead becomes a real page-turner.’
– Anders K Gustafsson, Sundsvalls Tidning / SWE

‘In Faxneld’s Bones of the Dead the narrative is underpinned by in-depth research, much of which is verified in an afterword… [It makes for] utterly fascinating reading, precisely because of the wealth of knowledge Faxneld imparts… [T]his also makes Bones of the Dead an abundant book, a fun read, with unexpected twists where Faxneld’s interest in the connections between occultism and female power is allowed to flourish. And wow, you do learn a lot.’
– Jenny Aschenbrenner, Svenska Dagbladet / SWE

‘Faxneld’s narrative is accessible yet contains surprising depths. Readers interested in, or wish to learn a little more about, folklore, mysticism, the occult and esotericism will benefit greatly from Googling some of the real-life characters. There are many rabbit holes to go down in this book, with passages that can lead an attentive, inquisitive reader further – perhaps endlessly, if they so wish – towards new knowledge, new interests or different perspectives. To summarise, Bones of the Dead is a thrilling and enriching novel in which the narrative balances on a tightrope between the mundane and the supernatural.’
– Elisabeth Brännström, Magasinet Opulens  / SWE

‘Per Faxneld, a professor of religious studies, writes in an accessible and engaging style about a missing book on black magic and the occult in 1920s Jämtland. … It’s clever to draw on Swedish folklore; the book is straightforward to read and well researched.’
– Bella Stenberg, Smålands-Posten / SWE

‘It is a real treat to be able to experience religious scholar Faxneld’s profound knowledge of Swedish folklore in novel form. It is clear that he harbours a genuine affection for [the inhabitants of Jämtland], their living conditions and their stories. …Bones of the Dead is a consistently interesting, educational and at times truly gripping novel. I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.’
– Johanna Käck, Dagens Nyheter / SWE

‘…I find myself drawn into Edda’s journey and appreciate that she is both strong and fragile, exhibiting self-harming tendencies as well as resolute courage.’
– Amelia / SWE

‘…an exciting page-turner that could be described as a folk thriller.’
– Loretto Villalobos, Aftonbladet / SWE

‘When reading the novel, it’s tantalising to see how closely it reflects the knowledge Faxneld possesses as a researcher and professor. …Read if you dare!’
– Annika Persson, M-Magasin / SWE

‘Dark academia meets Dark Jämtland…  [in] a race to the heart of darkness that should make Dan Brown himself tip his hat.’
– Jenny Lindh, Dagens Nyheter, on the audiobook /SWE

‘A female Indiana Jones in late 1920s Jämtland, a region inhabited by supernatural beings.’
– TT / SWE